Why did my garage door spring break?
Springs wear out. Every time the door opens and closes, the spring twists or stretches and relaxes again. That is one cycle. A standard spring is built for a limited number of cycles, and a family that uses the garage as its front door can run through several cycles a day. Sooner or later the steel fatigues and the coil snaps, usually all at once and often when nobody is touching the door.
Other things speed it up: rust from humidity and storm-driven rain, a door that was never balanced properly, springs that were undersized for the door, and a heavy door that was later fitted with windows or insulation without anyone changing the springs. When we replace a spring we look at why it failed, not only that it failed.
Torsion springs or extension springs: which do you have?
Look above the closed door. If you see one or two thick springs on a metal shaft running across the header, you have torsion springs. They twist to store energy, they are the most common setup on newer Austin homes, and they give the smoothest, most controlled lift.
If the springs instead run along the tracks on both sides, near the ceiling, and stretch when the door closes, you have extension springs. They are common on older and single-car doors. Both types can be replaced. In some cases converting an older extension setup to torsion makes sense, and we will tell you when it does and when it does not.
Standard cycle or high-cycle springs
A high-cycle spring uses heavier or longer wire so it lasts more open and close cycles. If you use the garage several times a day, ask us about high-cycle springs during the estimate. We explain the tradeoff and you choose.
Need help with your spring repair? Free estimate, price before work.
Can I still open the door with a broken spring?
Not safely. The opener is not designed to lift the full weight of the door. The spring does that work, and the opener only guides the door. Running the opener with a broken spring can strip its gear, bend the door at the top panel or pull the opener arm loose.
If your car is trapped inside, call us first. If the door is fully closed and you must get out, the red emergency release will disconnect the door from the opener, but the door will be very heavy and can drop if it is not held. Do not try it with a door that is partly open.
- Do not run the opener again after a loud bang.
- Do not try to lift the door with one person.
- Keep everyone out from under a partly open door.
- Call (512) 843-2980. We answer 7 days a week until 10 PM.
Should both springs be replaced at the same time?
On a door with two torsion springs, the springs were usually installed on the same day and have lifted the door the same number of times. When one breaks, the other is close behind. Replacing both in one visit saves a second service call and keeps the door balanced evenly from side to side.
It is still your decision. We show you the springs, explain what we see, and give you the price for one spring and for both before we start. If you only want the broken one replaced, we replace the broken one.
How Central Texas heat and storms affect garage door springs
Austin summers bring long stretches of heat above 90 degrees, and spring storm season brings heavy rain and hail. Heat on its own does not snap a spring, but humid air and wind-driven rain do cause rust on springs and cables, and a rusty spring rubs against itself, loses tension and breaks sooner.
A light coat of garage door lubricant on the springs a couple of times a year helps. So does keeping the bottom seal in good shape, so rain does not blow in under the door. During a spring visit we can point out rust on cables and drums before it turns into the next repair. See garage door maintenance for what a tune-up covers.
Need help with your spring repair? Free estimate, price before work.
What the estimate covers
The estimate is free. We tell you the price before any work starts, and it covers the spring or springs your door needs, the labor to install and balance them, and anything else we find that you approve, such as cables or rollers. You decide what gets done.
Spring price depends on the door: its size and weight, torsion or extension, one spring or two, and standard or high-cycle wire. That is why we give the number at the door instead of guessing on the phone. If you want a ballpark first, call and describe the door, and we will tell you what affects the price.
How the visit goes
Most calls follow this order. Times are typical ranges, and we confirm the arrival window when you call.
| Step | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| You call | A few minutes | Describe what happened. We ask about the door size and whether the car is stuck, and give you an arrival window. |
| Inspection | About 10 to 15 minutes | We confirm the broken spring and check the cables, drums, bearings, rollers and opener. |
| Free estimate | A few minutes | You get the price for the spring work, and for anything else we found, before we start. |
| Spring replacement | About 45 to 90 minutes | New springs installed and wound, door balanced, hardware lubricated. Two-spring and heavy doors take longer. |
| Test and walk-through | About 10 minutes | We run the door, test the opener force and the safety reverse, and show you what we replaced. |
